All Star Game 2026: All‑Star Saturday Ignites U.S. vs. World Weekend
All‑Star Saturday returns as the curtain‑raiser to the All Star Game 2026, packing high‑flying dunks, long‑range shooting and team showcases into a single night at the Intuit Dome. Festivities begin at 5: 00 PM ET and build toward Sunday’s U. S. vs. World exhibition, with media day and a commissioner’s news conference adding context and storylines throughout the weekend.
Saturday showcase: dunks, deep balls and team chemistry
All‑Star Saturday opens with the State Farm 3‑Point Contest, followed by the Kia Shooting Stars and capped by the AT&T Slam Dunk competition. The night’s format is familiar but still electric: shooters and dunkers bring their best in a sequence of events that have produced enduring moments in hoops history. The Slam Dunk contest features four young aerialists aiming to etch their names onto a long list of iconic performances, while the 3‑Point field includes eight sharpshooters each with a clear reason to take home the trophy. The Shooting Stars event highlights connections — teammates, classmates and family members — and often delivers the weekend’s most heartwarming moments.
Beyond the marquee events, fan‑friendly competitions such as the Castrol Rising Stars (where Edgecombe earned MVP honors for a standout night) and a celebrity exhibition add color and unpredictability. That Rising Stars contest showcased new talent and highlighted a generational handoff, with one team taking the title after dramatic finishes.
Sunday and the new U. S. vs. World format: what to watch
The All Star Game 2026 tips off Sunday at 5: 00 PM ET under a revised U. S. vs. World format. The change promises a fresh competitive narrative and a chance for international stars to square off against a U. S. selection in what organizers hope will be an elevated showcase. Full rosters have been unveiled, setting up intriguing positional matchups and stylistic clashes that could determine which side dominates the mid‑season spectacle.
Key storylines include veteran leadership meeting rising international talent, defensive schemes adjusted for a jam‑packed offensive display, and how coaches manage minutes in a format that emphasizes both exhibition flair and pride. With a mix of established All‑Stars and younger contributors, the game will be a litmus test for chemistry and clutch performance under a new structure.
Off‑court notes: media day, a commissioner’s address and player retirements
Media day earlier in the weekend gave fans and reporters a chance to gauge the mood of participants and hear from both veterans and newcomers ahead of the big game. A commissioner’s news conference at 4: 00 PM ET also provided an official backdrop to the weekend, underscoring league priorities and setting expectations for how the event will unfold.
The weekend is further framed by significant roster and career developments. Among the most notable off‑court headlines is the recent retirement announcement from a 12‑time All‑Star who ranks near the top of the league’s career assists and steals lists after a 21‑season career. That departure casts a reflective tone over the festivities, reminding fans that the league’s landscape evolves even as the All‑Star showcase celebrates its traditions.
All‑Star Saturday and Sunday promise a blend of spectacle and story, with regional pride and international rivalry poised to collide on the court. As events tip off at 5: 00 PM ET on Saturday and Sunday, fans can expect a weekend that honors the game’s history while introducing new chapters for the All Star Game 2026.
